Receptacle filler



Aug. 3o, 193s. Q C, SCHWDT 2,128,735

RECEPTACLE FILLER Aug. 30, `1938. o. c. SCHMIDT RECEPTACLE FILLER 5 Sheets-Sheet yI5 l Filed May l, 1956 to feed the plastic Patented Aug. 30, 1938 PATENT orricr:

RECEPTACLE FILLER Oscar C. Schmidt, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to The Cincinnati Butchers VSupply Company,

Cincinnati, Ohio,V aY corporation of Ohio Application May 1, 1936, 'serial No. '17.367 22 claims. (c1. 226-94) My invention relates to receptacle fillers for filling receptacles with plastic'material, and is exv emplified as employed in lling. baking pans with 1 meat dough, although it is obvious it may be employed in other relations.v Y kMeat dough of this character is a plastic material containing finely ground or chopped meat and various ingredients, and is a thick, owable mass somewhat similar to sausage meat which is stuffed into sausage casings for making sausages. In the present instancey the meat dough is fed into a'pan for being baked to form'a meat loaf.

'Such meat dough has usually heretofore in the butchering art been placed in the pan by Athrowing a batch of the same forcefully into the pan in an attempt to simultaneously eject the air from the pan and from the mass of meat dough, it be-l ing found in such practice, however, that air pockets form between the meat dough and the pan and in the meat dough, .and that portionsof the meat dough fail to properly unite with each other and with the bulk of the dough, and that the resultant baked loaf contains pockets of air,

seams and fissures, and readily separable lumps,

making the loaf defective.

It is the object of my invention to avoid these objections and to provide novel means for filling vthepan or receptacle in'such manner that air is ejected from between the material and the wall of the receptacle and from the material, and for y causing the vmaterial to flow into the 'receptacle while pressure is applied to the material in the receptacle in such manner as between the material and the wall of the receptacle and in the material; and, further, to provide novel means for coactiori between the pans or receptacles'and the feeding devices for the plastic material; and, further, to provide novel feeding relations between the pans or receptacles and the feeding of the plastic material; and, further, to provide for alternate feeding movements of the pans or receptacles and the plastic material.

` My invention consists in novel means whereby material into the receptacle and in novel pressure means for 'maintaining pressure upon the mass of material in the receptacle as it accumulates in the receptacle; further, in providing novel means for maintaining 'pressure upon the receptacle during feeding ofA the material; further, in providing novel means for `maintaining the material feeding means in retracted relation; further, in providing novel `,means for controlling the material feeding devices; further, in providing rnovel means relating to exclude and prevent the formation of air pocketsr and bubblesA the controls for feeding the receptacles and for `lling the receptacles; `further, in. providing a novel feeding plunger for feeding the plastic material;` further, in providing novel operating means for the same; further, in providing novel means for placing the receptacles in proper relation with the feeding devices; and, further, in

novel means to properly relate the feeding movements and the receptacle placingr devices.

The invention will be further readily understood from the following description and claims, and from the drawings, in which nlatter:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of my improved device, shown in connection with an exemplifying sausage stuiiiing machine, instanced as employed in supplying meat dough as the plastic material, and an exemplifying feeding means for the receptacles, partly broken away.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same, partly broken away. n

Fig. 3 is an end viewr of my improved device.

Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the same, taken on the line i-d of Fig. 3. l y

Fig. 5 is a vertical section of the same, taken on providing the line 5-5 of Fig. 2, and partly broken away,and

showing the relations of the parts in retracted positions ready to begin a lling or pan moving operation.

Fig. 6 is an end elevation showing the parts in partially actuated relation, away.

and partly broken j Fig. 7 is a similar View showing the plunger in` fully depressed position, and partly broken away.

Fig. 8 is a vertical section of my improved device, taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 2, and partlyV broken away.

Fig. 9 is a similar sectional view of a detail of the same, showing the parts in actuated relation. Fig. 10 is a sectional View of a detail, taken on the line llll0 of Fig. 2, showing the receptacle. operated switch lever in'actuated position in full lines and in retracted position in dotted lines;

and, y

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic representation of the motor circuit. Y

My invention is an improvement on the inven tion shown, described and claimed in the application o f George Schlercth for patent on improvement in Receptaclellers and method of filling receptacles, Serial No. 72,589, filed April 3, 1936, and on the invention shown, described and claimed in my application for patent on improvement in Receptacle fillers, Serial No. 76,440, filed April 25, 1936, in the United States Patent Office.

standard.

the plastic material are represented as baking pans II in which to bake meat loaves. vPlastic material which is to be placed in the receptacles is represented as meat dough, exemplified at I2. The material is arranged to be fed into the receptacle by means of a feeding plunger I3, which comprises a feeding channel I4, shown as a tube, provided with a feeding passage I5 and a feeding head I6, which is instanced as serving as a pressure piece, having a feeding passage Il, which registers with the feeding passage in the channel.

or tube, and a feeding mouth I8 discharging into the receptacle.

The feeding head is arranged Vto be movedinto Y the receptacle so as to initially discharge substantially at the bottom of the receptacle. The lower end of the tube is shown imbedded in the feeding head so as to form a tight joint therewith."

The feeding head is preferably of substantial Weight, as by being formed of heavy vmetal, in order that theiplunger will automatically descend quickly by'gravity. The plunger is caused to move upwardly by Athe pressure of the plastic material "under the same when the plunger is'in the receptacle, soa's to be automatically returned to initial position.

The feeding head is shown of 'rectangular form in cross section corresponding to the rectangular vform of the pan, and is arrangedY to be received in the p'an'so'th'at'the bottom of the feeding head is substantiallyatithe'bottom of the pan. There is preferably' a slight 'space VI9 between the lateral margins 'fof the feeding 4head and the upright walls ofthe .pan 'for permitting air to escape from between the plungerand the pan when the plunger isintroduced into theireceptacleV and whilst the plastic material is being fed into the pan. When the plunger is released to drop into 'thep'an,' its' descent VYis! cushionedjby the air in the pan, the air, however, being displaced .by the plungenff` ij' f .L

VThetube'll forms a Yslide which extends upwardly from the feeding headad'is `reciprocahle in`a bearing" 2|"of a standard' 22, the bearing being on a bracket 23 which Vextends laterally from the"upwardly extending portion of the The standard comprises a post 24,.extending upwardly from'a 'bearin'g'25of a AbaseY 26. A sleeve "2l fis"locatediabout the pbst, fthe `bracket 23 extending laterally from this sleeve. Thexsleeve V"andbracket, vandconsequently'the bearing 12|, are vertically adjustable on the post, 'as' by means 'of a bolt'28,lhaving threadedconnection'in a threaded bearingin the upper wall'29 Vof the sleeve, and clamped in adjusted positions by a jam nut SI1.Y `Set screwsj3l Athreaded into the sleeve' and contacting the post aid in holding the parts in adjusted positions.

The'bearing 2| is provided with laterally ex- 'j tending feeding passages 35, either of Vwhich may 'vided with a lling 38 toY close the same, the lower end of the filling being slanting, as 'at 39,"opp'osite the port 36 to direct the plastic material into the lpassage I5.

The source of supply for the plastic material is exemplified as a usual stuffing machine 4I, in which the supply of'rmeat dough is contained. The meat'dough is arranged to be forced through a suitable valve 42, connecting with the interior of the stuffing machine. 'Ihis forcing of the meat dough is Vobtained by Ymeans of a suitable piston 43, forced upwardly in the cylinder 44 by a suitable pressure fiuid fed into the space 45 under the piston and supplied to said space through a suitable pipe 46 having a suitable valve 41 therein.

. which saidfeed passage-is located, a Vflange 51 ofthen vcoupling ring clamping an annular flange 578 of the pipe between it and the end of said boss to forma joint. The feed pipeis'preferably'bent and 'swivelsin its connections with the bearing and -the feed Valve so as to accommodate itself to-various relative positions and heights between the lling device and the stuliing machine. The feedpassage 'notemployed is closed by a-,disk 59 clamped vvover the end of the boss inwhich the otherof said feed passages is located, by means of acoupling ring 60 for clamping the disk between an annular flange 6I of the said coupling ring and the annular end of said last-named boss. The-meat dough is caused to exude through the valve42, when the valves 42 and '47 are opened and upward pressure is being exerted by the piston V43, for causing the meat dough to pass through the feed valve 42, the pipe 5I, the feed Vpassage 35, the ports 31 and 36, the. feed passage I5 in the tube I4, thefeed passage I'I and discharge mouth I8 in the vfeeding head I6, when "the plungeris lowered, to-cause registry between thefeed'port 36 and :the'feed port 3l respectively in the-tube and in the bearing-forcausing feedf ing movementof the meat dough and introduction thereof into'the receptacle; i Y

Ifit is desired to place the stuffing machine 4I at1the opposite side of the filling machine, the

`.connection of the pipe with the filling machine maybe changed so thatthe pipe and the obstruct- I ing disk 59 cooperate with the opposite filling pas- -sages 35 of the bearing. Y

A positioner 65 is provided between the plunger and the'receptacle..v It is 'provided with a guide 66 cooperating with the'feeding head and with l positioning'flangestl having'inner slanting faces 68 cooperating with the pan rim69 for accurately positioningY the pan. The positioner serves asi-a ,presser part to properlyhold the pan during the rllling'operation. These flanges preferably surround the upper edges or rim of the pan, and have 'notches 'IIJ at their corners.

l'The positioner Vis'forovided with'jupwardly ex- Ytendinghangers 1I. Links 12, 'I3arelocated one above 4the Vother at theY respective sides 'of the ilsleeveZv'I andsaid respective hangers-the links I2 being pivoted tothe upper portions of the hangers Yandi the `sleeve respectively oni` pivots'-14, 15,and "thel'inksfi'IS being-pivoted therebelow respective- *1y 'to 'therhanger andthe sleeve: on pivots 16,? 11,

said pivots being respectively shown asrshoulder bolts. This insures parallel motion for the positioner in raising and lowering the same.

The positioner is normally urged upwardly, as by means of a rod 8| pivoted-by a pivot bearing 82 about a pin 83 having connection with and ex'- `tending between the links 12, collars 84v being lonut, for urging the rod upwardly and thereby raising the positioner 65. Downward movement of the rod is limited by engagement of the washer with the shoulder therebelow Ain the cavity (Fig This upward movement is adjustably limited by a positioning nut 9|, a jam nut 92 clamping the positioning nut in adjusted position. rThe positioning nut contacts the bottom 68 of the cavity 85, the rod passing through a'hole insaid bottom. A plug 93 vcloses the upper end of said cavity. Y

The tube |4 is provided with a keeper 95,'shown as an annular flange extending laterally vfrom `the tube and iixed to the tube.- A latch 96 coacts with said keeper to hold the plunger in retracted position. The latch is pivoted on a pin 91 extending therethroughand located in pivot lugs 98 on the bearing 2|. A knob 99 has Vthe shankrv|00 surrounded by a spring |0| in a hole |02, in the heel |03 of said latch. The spring is located between the bottom of said hole and said knob and urges the knob outwardly for resiliently holding said latch in engaging relation. The disengaging movement of said latch is limited by contact of the contact face |04 on said heelvwith the bearing 2|.

The latch is operated by anv operating lever |05 having an operating'handle |06 anda bearing |01 on a pivot pin |08, the respective ends of which are located in bearings |09 inextensions ||0 of the links 12, constituting said links as levers for operation of the positioner. The operating lever f is provided with a finger coacting with a iinger ||2 on the latch'lever for unlatching the latch. The keeper` is provided with abevel face ||3 andthe latch is provided with the coacting bevel l face ||4 for readily moving the keeper into engagingrelation with the latch when the plunger is raised. v l

To release the plunger, the operating handle |0'6 is depressed, thereby moving the *latchy in unlatching direction and depressing the lever |05.v YThe engaging relation between the ingers ||2 is maintained'throughout movement of the operating lever, whereby desired depressing movement of the positioner 65 is also obtained, as these ngers become fulcrums during the depressing movement of the operating handle for causing movement of the positioner toward the an. p Theparts are so related that if the pan be not properly placed `so that the depending ilanges of the positioner are not received about the upper edges of the pan, the downward movement of the positioner is arrested, thereby arresting the downward movement of the links 12, 13 and preventing release o f the latchv 96 from the keeper 95; to prevent descent of the plunger and consequent interference between said plunger and they wall of the pan. Ifthe depending flanges of the po sitioner are received abouttheredges of vthepan, the inner slanting faces of said flanges will further center said pan. Descent of the plunger during obstructing position of a Ypan can vresult l in no harm as the descent will merely stop when the plunger strikes the pan. I

In order to provide a supply of fresh pans under the plunger upon successive descents of the plunger and to insure non-interference `between the plunger and said pans, I provide a feeding means for the pans controlled by the position of the plunger' to avoid interference between movements of the pans and the plunger.

The base 26 is provided with runways |2I at Vits respective sides onk which the pans are arrangedto slide', an extension |22 of said runways extending beyond the base being arranged to receive Ithe pans as they are being fed off of the base. i

A carriage |23 is arranged to reciprocate in the base, resting on guideways |24 land being laterally guided by guideways |25 on the base. Actuating fingers |26 are on actuating levers |21, pivoted on pivot pins |28 extending between the sides of the carriage. A cover plate |29 covers the carriage and has openings |30 therein through whichthe fingers project. These levers are provided with resting faces |3| arranged to rest on the bottom cross wall |32 vof the carriage, with the upper ends of the iingers below the plane of the bottoms of the pans, so that the fingers may be retracted past the pans. The levers are also provided with stop faces or heels |33 at the other sides of their pivots for contacting the bottom ofthe carriage when the fingers are in up-position topush the pans.

Actuating bars |31 are at the respective ends of said levers and are pivoted to said respectivek levers by pivot pins|38. These actuating bars extend lengthwise of the carriage and are connected by a cross head |39 at their operating ends. Movement of these bars in receptacle feeding direction causes swinging movement of the pusherl levers |21 on their pivots |28 during the first portion of such movement of such bars for moving the pusher fingers upwardly into engagement with the respective pans, whereupon the heels of said pusher levers strike the bottom of the carriage for arresting pivotal movements of said levers and thereby causing combined movements of the pusher levers and the carriage in'feeding direction upon further movement of the bars in such direction, whereby to feed the pans to the extent of the width of a pan, and the space |40 between neighboring pans, feeding a pan which has been under the plunger and has been filled, away from the plunger, and feeding the next empty pan centrally under the plunger. The feedingstroke of the carriage is the distance be-` tween centers of neighboring pans in feeding-- direction.

An electric motor |4| is mounted on the base and has suitable geared connection with a cross shaft |42 so as to rotate this cross shaft at slower speed than the speed of rotation of the rotor shaft of the electric. motor.

A crank |45 is iixed toA this cross shaft and has a crank pin |46 fixed to its outer end. A connecting rod |41 has a bearing |48 at one of its ends about the crank pin and is held thereon by suitable means; The other end of the connecting rod has a bearing |50 through which and bearings |5| on the cross head |39 a connecting pin |52 extends, being held therein by suitable means.I

Means are provided for relating the movements of the pans and the plunger to prevent interference between them, and further to insure placing of successive panscentrally under the plungerg.

positionxof the plunger. Control means vfor `placing the feeding means for the pans in feeding relation are control-led respectively Yby vthe position`of the plunger andthe presenceiofv apan -to -enable 'feedingmotionto be imparted to the pans.

The safety means Vare-'instanced as interruptions in the driving meansv for Vthepan feeding devices and are exemplified as electric translating devices controlling the actuations ofV Vthe pan feeding electric motor. i

Thus an electric'switch |6| is arranged to be vactuated by Ithe plunger and anfel-ectric switch |62 Vis arrangedto be actuated upon vpresence/in its initial position of a pan to be fed. Both lof these switches are in series with the motor yin such manner that 11p-position of the plunger'and the Vpresence in its initial position of a pan for being fed must both be insured before feeding movement ofthe pan-can take place. The switch |6| is preferably a normally open push button switch and the switch |62'is'preferably a normally closed push button switch, urged correspondingly-by springs |51, |58.

In the `form shown, the switch v|6| is fixed to a lug |63 fixed to the bracket `23, its button |64 being arranged to be'moved by a finger |65 on an adjustable bolt threaded into the plunger and held in adjusted positions by'a jam n ut |66. The nger is rotatable on said bolt |59 so as to be placedin line with the button being clamped in adjusted position between a nut |68 Yand the head of the bolt.

The switch |62l is secured to the-base. Its'button |61 is arranged to becontacted by a nger |68, shown as a bolt threaded into a threaded bearing |69 on a lever |10 and clampedin -adjusted positions bya jam nut |1-|. l

The lever |19is pivotedon a pivot pin v|12 exnger |68 for closing of the switch |62, Vandiactuation of the-electric motor |4| when said switch and the switch |6| controlled by theplungerare both in -closed relation so'as to complete the motor circuit, whereupon the crank-shaft v|42 begins to turn for moving-the cross'h'ead .|39 in feeding direction, thereby swinging the feeding levers |21 on their pivots |28 on thecarriage |23 and moving said fingers in-to engagement :with the respective pans, the'heels of said-leversthen contacting the carriage-for arresting the-swinging movements'of said levers and causing further feeding movement ofthe feed bars |31 to Vbe expended in feeding movement of the pans, whereby the ngers, the bars and the carriagev` are Yall mov-ed in feeding direction for feeding the pan tinuing inA their intermittent Ymovementsin Hclist charging direction -or being removed.- by the attendant.

As'soon as the last empty pan Whichhas.. been Ament -of the carriage takes place.

vthe fingers |26.

fand vto prevent feeding ofgpansfduringzinterfering previously placed upon the'runwa'ys fordepressing the inner end Vof the vswitchactuatinglever thereunder, `'has been moved in feeding direction past *the depressed-.end of said lever, Vthe'said end-of the Vlever rises by-gravity, induced by the weighted end of ysaid lever, for automatically opening the switch |62 vand thereby deenergizing the motor and-causing cessationof feeding move- Vment lof 'the pans. 'Y 'The feeding movements of the pans. continue suflicienitly throughout the stroke of the crank so as to successively'center the pans under the plunger." Y

A-afterthe 'feeding stroke is completed, with the feeding fingers yin retracting position upon cessation of operation of the motor, so that a slight coasting of the motor is not detrimental. Upon .retractingimovement of the operating bars |31, the feeding'ngers are moved downwardly 'out of the -way of the pans before retracting move- The motor picks up the movement of the vfingers `and carriage Vat the points. where they last ceased,V upon reenergizing the -motor for the next feeding operation.

The base .may -ber provided with gages |8| at the respective 'sides thereof 4for-gaging the initial positions of -the pans placed for feeding movement.Y Y

The-pans are arranged to 'be fed betweenside rails |82, adjustably positioned at the respective 'sides of -the base by bolts `-|83, located in ,trans- 'verse slots |84 in the base, said boltsv .having vsquare Shanks |85 in said slots .to -limit .their V-turning, the Shanks of the bolts 'passing through holes -in said side vrails ,and having clamp nuts ,I 86v threaded over` their threaded .ends `.to clamp --the side lrailsin adjusted positions `to the base.

Hold down -guides .|88 extend Yabove `the tops A of the pans in advance/of the positioner-toi guide the pans under the positioner and the plunger.

These Yhold do-wnguides have rearwardly droopingguide faces arranged-tobeoontacted by the advancing upper Vedges of the pans izo-.counteractanyupward tilting Atendencyvof said advancing-V edges while .the .pans are being pushed by These .guides .are onv uprights .|89 .having feet |96 adjustably securedto .the base .26 by bolts 9| in slots A|92 vin said .feet

V`and threaded into the base.

- As. ythe lled pan is. pushed from under the yraised plunger, the forward edgeof the positioner or presser part scrapes the top,of the meatK dough er-face vof the plunger closely adjacent to the plunger and acts as a scraper scraping Ythemeat dough between the -pan `and the plunger -into -thepan.VV In this manner the Vtop of the Vmeat dough in-the pan is level and waste-ofthemeat -doughfoutside of the panis avoided.

-In operation, the stufng'machineMds-provided-witha charge Vof-meat dough, representing the-plastic materialyabove its piston, the cover of the -shell -44 beingclamped-in place inusual marmer. "The Valves'42 and Hare-openedfor- Cil exerting pressure under the piston, whereby to raise the piston and cause flow of the meatl dough through vthe valve 42. i Y f The plunger I3 is norma-lly in raised position and the automatic valve 36, 3l is normally closed. The switch ISI is rclosed and the switch 52 is open. A pan is placed on'the runways l2l, in

rear of the plunger, and a pan is placed on the runways against the gages Il, thereby depressing the raised inner end of the lever |10 and closing' the switch H52. The motor is thereby actuated and the pans fed, the first Vadvanced empty pan being fed to proper position under the plunger, and the last empty pan being fed off of the inner end of the lever Il!! and lthereby causing opening of the switch |52 for cessation offoperation of the motor and of feeding move- 36 dough intothe plunger begins. The dropping of the plunger is rapid, butis cushioned by the air in the pan, which is forced out of the pan by the plunger. The plunger in its movement isl guided by the positioner 55. The'meat dough is fed into the bottom of the pan under thev plunger, as exemplified in Fig; 7. As the forced feeding of the meat dough continues, the plunger is raised by the meat dough between it and the bottom'of the pan, the pressure thus exerted on the meat dough in the pan discharging all air between the plunger and the pan and in the meat dough. and solidifyingvthe meat dough in the pannand excludingall` air pockets` andbubbles between the' plunger'iand the pan Vand in the meat dough.' The positioner and plunger` form a cover for the pianto close the pan, `during the feeding of the meat dough intothe pan, air however being permitted to escape as stated. As the plunger is raised by the pressure of the meat dough being fed into'the pan, the positioner, which forms the margin V'of the cover about the v plunger, serves as a 'scraper-for the sides of the plunger, whi'chhas sliding connection with said margin, in order to scrape any meat dough, whichy `rrriy be forced upwardlyat the sides of the plunger between the plunger and the side walls of the pan, off the plunger as the plunger ispretracted.

The cover holdsthe meat dough in the pan and prevents its exuding over the top of the pan during the lling operation. c

The operator having released the operating handle. the positioner 65Y and latch 96 automatically return to normal 'positions When the plunger has been raised by the-meat dough, the keeper 95 reengagesfthe latch 96 for holding the plunger and the positione'r in up-position. The rising of theplunger to full extent' causes closing of the switch Ifil.` d

Whenthe motor begins to operate for moving the'crank pin M5 in'feeding'direction, the feeding fingers 26 are first raised into engaging relation with the pans on theirunways and then actuated in feeding direction for feeding the filled pan from under the plunger and feeding the next empty pan into position underI the plunger, the feeding distance being the width of aA pan plus the distance between neighboring pans, represented by the full stroke or diameter of the pathof the axis of the crank pin H56.`

Thel two switches in series in the motor circuit insure safety of operation because the plunger must be inlup-position out of the path of moving pans in order. to close the switch ISI and a pan must have been placed on the runway to supply the place of the filled pan .in order to close the switch |62, which insures that a pan lshall always be in place under the plunger upon the next actuation ofthe operating handle |06 by the operator. If the pan is not properly placed under ther plunger, the depending fitting flanges of the intermediate cover cannot be place the pan before he can proceed with his operations. v

My improved device is simple in construction and operation and insures that the plastic materia1 is solidly lled into the receptacles-to remove air and exclude air pockets and bubbles from between the plunger and the receptacle and from the material, and prevents the formation of fissures and seams in the material and the presence of separated meat portions in baked loaves, when employed in filling meat pans with meat dough for baking purposes, and provides simple means for keeping the apparatus supplied with pans and preventing accidents in operation.

' moved downwardly Vsufficiently vto Vrelease the latch 96, compelling the operator to properly' Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Lettersl Patent, is:

1. In receptacle filling means for' plastic material, the combination Lof a feeding head, and a guide having guiding faces for both said feedprovided with material feedingmeans for'material Vunder pressure, said feeding head having aV 4feeding mouth in said'pressing end of substantially less cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of ysaid pressing end, means normally holding said feeding head and the receptacle in relatively retracted .relatio'nfor stoppage of material feeding, and arranged for approach between said feeding head and thereceptacle for initiating materialfeeding and exerting pressure between said guide and the receptacle, said feeding head and the receptacle being relatively resistantly retractable to exert pressure on the material being so fed-under pressure between said pressing'end of said feeding head and the recepving head' and the receptacle, said head having *slide connection with said guide by lmeans of one eov tacle throughout substantially the filling of the Y receptacle to exclude air pockets. in the plastic material.

2. In receptacle filling means, the' combination of a plunger arranged tonormally move into the receptacle, a latch to retain said plunger in retracted position, a lever having limited movement and normally urged in retracting direction, and a releasing lever pivoted to said firstnamed lever and having operative connection with `said latch to release said latch and said connection acting as a fulcrum on which to move said first-named` lever in limited 'i movement direction.

3,V In receptacle filling means, the combination ofV a standard comprising a beari-ng, a plunger reciprocablein said bearing arranged to normally move into the receptacle, a Alatch-'to retain said plunger vin retracted position, a lever having Ypivotal connection Withsaid standard, means to normally urge said lever in retracting direction, `means to limit movement of said lever in operative direction, and means on said lever to operate said latch. Y Y

4. In receptacle filling means, the combination of va standard, a bearing, a plunger reciprocable in said bearingvarranged to-normally'move into therreceptacle, a .latch tcl retain said "plungerinretracted position, a lever havingvpivotal con- Y nection with said standarda-spring to normally urge said lever in retracting direction,` a second lever pivoted to said iirst-na-medclever and-'acting on said latch -to releasefsaid latch and fulcrumed on said iirst-namedleverfto movey said iirst-namedlever, and `means to limit such movement of said first-namedlever. 'Y Y Y 5. In receptacle filling means, `the'combination of a standard including a bearing, a plungerreciprocable inv said Vbearir-ig'arranged to normally move into the receptacle, ja latchY to retain-saidI plunger in retracted-positicmand apositioner for the receptacle having-pivotal connection with said standard. Y Y Y 6. In receptacle i-illing means; the combination of a standard -including. a bearing, a plunger reciprocable in said bearing arranged-to nor"- mall-y move into the receptacle-,a positioner for the receptacle, aV latch -for theY plunger,4 and spaced l'apart substantially parallel links pivoted at their respective ends'tol said standard Vand to said positionerA for vsubstantially .parallelV move- 'v ments of said positioner, andqhavin'g- Yoperative connection -Withsaid latch `tofrelease 1Vsaid latch.V

v 7. Ing-receptacle filling-means, theV combination cfa standard includingafbearing a-plunger reciprocable 'inrsaid 'bearingV-arranged to normally-mo've into the-receptacle, a positioner for the receptacle, a latch for the plunger, spaced apart substantiallyparallellinks pivoted at their respective ends Vte said: standard ,andV to said Y positioner for Vsubstantially parallel movements of said positioner, and; a lever'pivotedto one' of said; links and`V operativelyV connected with 'said' latchY to release said latch andsaid connection acting as a fulcrumon 'which' to move lsaidlinks.

and said positioner towardfthe receptacle.

8. In receptacle filling means, thecombination of a standard including a bearingja plunger reciprocable in saidV bearing arranged to normally' move' into the receptacle, 'a positioner for the receptacle having Vguidingconnection With said fplungen'a latch' for the. plungena link extended as a leverpivotedlto said standard and to said: positioner and Vhaving operativeconnection withl said latch to l'release sai'd latch,a spring. to normally retract said link,a. stento-limit such retraction, andv a ysecon'c'flir'rkv pivoted tol said standard and to said positioner and spaced from and substantially parallel with said first-named link, said links compelling movements of"s`aid` positioner' parallel with said plunger.

9. In Vreceptacle filling means.. the combination of a base, a receptacle support thereat, an upright extending upwardly` from. said base, a bearing on said upright, a plunger reciprocable in Y.said bearing, a `positioner for the receptacle aboutsaid plunger, spaced apart substantiallyA parallel links pivoted to said upright and to saidV V tion of a receptacle support, a feeding head thereabove, means for Vreciprocable movement between Y said head and the receptacle onV said support,

moving means for-moving the receptacle into line with said feeding head, and actuating means for said moving means including a plurality of interrupting means, one of said interrupting-means being under influence of said feeding head to connect said interrupting means when said feeding head is in retracted position, and Vanother of said interrupting means acted onv by theV pres-v ence of a receptacle to connect said last-named interrupting means, for safety feeding movement of the receptacles under-said feeding head.

11. In receptacle filling means, the combination of a receptacle support, a feeding headv thereabove, means for reciprocable vmovement between saidhead and thereceptacle on said support, feeding means for the receptacle, and actu'-V ating, means for said feeding Vmeans including a pair of interrupting means bothV of which must Y be connected for movement of the receptacle, one

vof saidinterrupting means connected by retracted positioning of said head'andthe other of said interrupting meansconnected by a receptacle Aplaced for feeding movement. f

. 12, InA receptacle `filling means, the combination of a feeding head, a receptaclefeeding part, meansfor reciprocablemovement-between saidY head and the receptacle,A an electric motor for actuating said feeding partyand an electric circuit for said motor including a pair of--electric switch-l devices one -of which is inuenced by retracted position of said feeding head and the other ofv which is inuenced'by the'presence lof a receptacle in feedable position for actuation of said motor and feeding movement of thereceptacle.

13. In'receptacle filling means, the combina-- tion of a feeding head, a receptacle support'thereunder, feeding means for the receptacles on said support, actuating means for said feeding meansv Y mcluding `an electric'motor, and an electric Ycircuit for said motor including a pair of `electric switches one of which is operated by retracted position offsaid feeding head and the'other of which is operated by placing of a receptacle in feedable position for energizing said motor to feed the receptacles, and said last-named switch operated to deenergizesaidmotor by fed move; ment of said placedreceptacle. Y

14. In-receptacle filling means for' plastic material, the combination of a frame, means actingY to force feed plastic material', a Vmaterial resistant part substantially cross sectionally filling the receptacle and located adjacentto the bottom of the receptacle at thebeginning of the lling operation, meanson said frameV wherewith to so relate said material resistant part andl said' bottom; said means including a pair of `relatively movable-membersfone ofiwhich has connection with said material resistant part and the'other of which has connection with said fram-e, said material resistant part provided', ,With '2,-' feeding mouth for the force fed plastic material located so as to discharge the` force fed plastic material between said material resistant part and the bottom of the receptacle to cause separating movement between said material resistant part and the receptacle by the pressure of the force fed plastic material during the filling of the receptacle, and a valve for the material formed in said respective members and operated by such movement.

15. In receptacle lling means, the combination of a plunger arranged to move into the receptacle, a latch to retain said plunger in retracted position, a lever arranged to be moved in retracting direction, and a releasing lever pivoted to said rst-named lever and having opf erative connection with said latch to release said latch, and said connection acting as a fulcrum on which to move said rst-named lever.

16. In receptacle filling means, the combination of a feeding plunger arranged to move into the receptacle, a presser part for the receptacle, holding means for the plunger, and a lever having operative connection with said presser part to move the presser part and said lever further having releasable connection with said holding means to release said plunger from saidholding means for movement of said plunger into the receptacle.

17. In receptacle lling means, the combination of a plunger arranged to move into the receptacle, a latch to retain said plunger in retracted position, a presser part for the receptacle, a lever having operative connection with said presser part to move the same, a second lever pivoted to said first-named lever and having operative connection with said latch to release said latch and to exert pressing force on said first-named lever, and a stop to limit said last-named movement. Y

18. In receptacle filling means, the combination of a plunger arranged to move into the receptacle, a presser part for the receptacle, a latch for the plunger, a lever for operating said presser part, and a second lever having pivotal connection with said first-named lever and operative connection with said latch to release said latch, said last-named operative connection being such as to limit pressing movement of said iirstnamed lever.

19. In receptacle filling means for plastic material, the combination of a cover for the receptacle including a margin coacting with the rim of the receptacle to close the receptacle and a feeding plunger moving in' said margin during the feeding of the plastic material into the receptacle, means to normally position said cover so that the bottom of said margin is substantially on a level with the upper end of said rim, means to provide lateral movement between said cover While in said normal position and the receptacle, said margin formed as a scraper for the plastic material in the lled receptacle during such lateral movement between said cover and the receptacle.

20. In receptacle filling means for plastic material, the combination of a cover for the receptacle including a margin coacting with the rim of the receptacle to close the receptacle and a feeding plunger moving in said margin during the feeding of the plastic material into the receptacle, means to normally position said cover and said plunger and the receptacle so that the bottoms of said margin and of said plunger are substantially on a level with the upper end of said rim, means to provide lateral movement between said cover and said plunger while in said normal positions and the receptacle, said plunger' having a feeding mouth at its bottom, said margin formed as a scraper for the plastic material in the lled receptacle during such lateral movement between said cover and said plunger and the receptacle, and said rim of the lled receptacle formed as a scraper for said bottom toscrape plastic material therefrom during such lateral movement between said receptacle and said cover and plunger.

21. In receptacle filling means for plastic material, the combination of a cover for the receptacle including a margin coacting with the rim of the receptacle toclose the receptacle and a feeding plunger moving in said margin during the feeding of the plastic material into the receptacle, means to normally position said cover and said plunger and the receptacle so that the bottoms of said margin and of said plunger are substantially on a level with the upper end of said rim, means for lateral movement between said cover and said plunger while in said normal positions and the receptacle, said plunger having a feeding mouth at its bottom, said margin formed as scraping means for the sides of said plunger, said margin formed as a scraper for the plastic material in the lled receptacle during such lateral movement between said cover and said plunger and the receptacle, and. said rim of the lled receptacle formed as a scraper for said bottom to scrape plastic material therefrom during such lateral movement between said receptacle and said cover and plunger.

22. In receptacle filling means, the combination of a plunger arranged to move into the receptacle, a latch to retain said plunger in retracted position, a presser part for the receptacle, a lever having operative -connection with said presser part to move the same, a second lever pivoted to said first-named lever and having operative connection with said latch to release said latch and to exert pressing force on said rst-named lever, and a stop tol limit pivotal movement of said latch.

OSCAR C. SCHMlDT. 

